Everything you need to know about WhatsApp Business in MEA

With more than 2 billion customers worldwide, WhatsApp is one of the world's most-used communication tools. In the Middle East and North Africa, WhatsApp usage has skyrocketed, with a 77 percent adoption rate in Saudi Arabia alone. Right now, there are more than 115 million WhatsApp users in just five Middle East countries. No other messaging platform has had quite the same impact in the Middle East-North Africa region. Now, more businesses in this part of the world are benefiting from WhatsApp.

What are the business benefits of WhatsApp?

With such a huge reach, WhatsApp proves lucrative for businesses of all sizes in MENA.

It lets organizations connect with customers via a user-friendly interface which improves communication and engagement significantly. Unlike in North America and Europe, where businesses are more likely to communicate via regular text messaging, companies in the Middle East and North Africa rely on WhatsApp as a crucial business tool.

Companies can optimize the customer experience further with a WhatsApp Business API, which facilitates automated messages, shipping confirmation notifications, booking appointments, and more.

Why do so many MEA companies use the WhatsApp Business API?

WhatsApp provides businesses in the MENA region with a powerful communication tool. Companies who use a business API for WhatsApp can achieve the following:

• Create business profiles with useful information for customers such as contact details, business descriptions, addresses, and URLs. Customers will be able to see all of this information in their WhatsApp screen.
• Chat with customers. A WhatsApp Business API lets agents respond to customers in real-time and provide valuable support options. There are no phone or email delays, and customers can receive instant service support information and answers to commonly asked questions.
• Instant notifications. Companies in the MENA region can send out automatic notifications about shipping times/delays, store closures/openings, special offers, promo codes, and more.

Recommended reading: How to Leverage WhatsApp Business API Across the Customer Journey

Examples of businesses using WhatsApp Business API

Here are just some of the businesses that use a business API for WhatsApp in MENA:

• Saudi Investment Bank uses a WhatsApp Business API to facilitate customer service queries quickly and effectively.
• Lebanon's largest bank Bank Audi uses a WhatsApp API to make the banking experience more accessible to customers.
• Travelsmart uses an API to engage with customers.

International companies that operate in MENA also use a WhatsApp Business API to connect with customers in this region, including Netflix, Wish, and Uber.

Recommended reading: 5 Reasons Why You Should Use WhatsApp Business API

Why these businesses work with a CPaaS provider

All of these organizations hired a third party to set up their WhatsApp Business API. Working with a Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider offers the following benefits:

• An expert hosts and supports your WhatsApp Business API. This reduces integration problems, lowers costs, and improves customer service.
• An expert customizes your API just the way you like it. You can create a communication channel that reflects your brand identity and values.
• Make the most of your API with features such as personalized customer care messages, template messages, and multiple language messages.

Did you know: businesses that use a WhatsApp Business API are expected to grow by 5,400 percent?

Here at CEQUENS, we create powerful, customer-centric communication APIs. As a leading CPaaS provider in the MENA region, we provide WhatsApp Business API solutions based on your business budget and requirements. Click here to find out more.